3 Things You Should Know About the Proposed New Methane Rules for Pipelines

The American Federal Agency in charge of pipeline safety has announced new proposals for stricter rules on Leak Detection and Repair of pipelines and natural gas storage facilities in order to reduce methane and other fugitive emissions.

The new standards would require the use of more modern technology to find and fix methane leaks and would set targets for when leaks must be repaired.

The standards would apply to the country’s “2.7 million miles of gas transmission, distribution, and gathering pipelines; 400+ underground natural gas storage facilities; and 165 liquefied natural gas facilities.”  

“It is finally time to deploy modern technologies to find and repair pipeline leaks to prevent waste of valuable products and protect people and the environment,” said PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown in a news release. “This rule will deploy pipeline workers across the country to find and repair leaks that will improve safety for the public—and will ensure America continues to be the global leader in methane mitigation, which is one of the most potent greenhouse gases threatening the economy and our planet today.”

Here are three things you need to know about the new proposals:

#1: The proposals aim to get leaks detected faster and get them repaired quicker - The proposals want to  increase the frequency in which operators are required to survey their pipelines and facilities for methane leaks and also mandate the use of advanced leak detection technology such as continuous monitoring systems and aerial surveying.  The proposals also seek to establish specific timeframes for operators to repair leaks when there is a risk to people or the environment.

#2: The proposals would lower the reporting threshold for methane emissions – The proposals suggest lowering the reporting threshold on methane emissions so that operators look to mitigate smaller sources of methane emissions, such as from equipment failures.

#3: The proposals encourage the capture of unavoidable methane emissions – the proposals want to encourage operators to capture methane emissions that are unavoidable such as during routine maintenance procedures when methane must be vented from equipment, for instance.

The proposals have been welcomed by the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters.

“This proposed rule will ensure that our leak detection and mitigation efforts utilize cutting edge technology and leverage the skilled workforce required to modernize this infrastructure and keep communities safe,” said Mark McManus, General President of the United Association. “This proposed rulemaking will not only continue to put our members to work, but it will help protect Americans and increase efficiency all while reducing harmful emissions.” 

The administration expects that, if implemented, the proposals would reduce methane emissions from pipelines by 55%. This would equate to a reduction of up to 1 million metric tons of methane emissions (which the agency says is equivalent to the annual emissions of 5.6 million gas-powered cars).

A date for when the public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals is expected to be announced later this year.

Interested in learning more about this topic?

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